Registered Nurse Salary in Wellesley, MA: $102,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Wellesley, MA earns a median $102,373/year (≈ $49.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Wellesley's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Wellesley, Massachusetts, exhibit a promising outlook, with a median annual salary projected at $102,373. The salary range is broad, spanning from $75,714 at the 10th percentile to $141,869 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in roles and specializations within the nursing profession. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, take into account local cost adjustments, indicating that while Wellesley’s compensation is competitive, it slightly lags behind the national median of $102,730. Given that Wellesley has a relatively high cost-of-living index of 108.5, the local job market conditions can effectively influence earning potential, particularly for registered nurses working nights and weekends, where shift differentials can significantly enhance overall compensation.
About the Wellesley Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,714 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,650 | $41.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,373 | $49.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,054 | $56.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,869 | $68.21 |
Median Salary Position
0.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wellesley
In Wellesley, MA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,155 (2026 est.). At $102,373, the local median is 0.35% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wellesley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wellesley Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Wellesley median: $102,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wellesley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $107,761 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -0.35% less |
Registered Nurses in Wellesley, MA earn a median of $102,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $107,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wellesley has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wellesley, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,373 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,353 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$73,045
2025 BLS Actual
$97,211
2026 Current Est.
$102,373
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wellesley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,045 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,938 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,211 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wellesley metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $73,045 (2019) to $97,211 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,764 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wellesley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,714 – $85,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,650 – $102,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,373 – $118,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,054 – $141,869 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Wellesley
Considering the employment picture for registered nurses in Wellesley, only six individuals are currently employed in this field, which points to a niche market but may also indicate limited competition for positions. The slightly elevated cost of living suggests that take-home purchasing power may be tighter than in regions with lower living costs. Among local healthcare providers, hospital systems, especially those recognized with magnet status, tend to offer the most competitive salaries, alongside specialty centers that value certification like CCRN or CEN. Factors driving salary variability include significant differentials for night shifts, weekend assignments, and the added responsibilities often taken on by charge nurses. For those looking to maximize their registered nurse pay in Wellesley, pursuing specialty certifications and considering roles in critical care or travel nursing could prove advantageous in achieving higher salaries while navigating the local nursing employment landscape.
More salary data for Wellesley, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Wellesley, MA in 2026?
Is Wellesley, MA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Wellesley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Wellesley?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Wellesley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,211 for registered nursesin the Wellesley metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wellesley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov